Letter from the publisher
Dear Readers,
I spent a lot of energy writing the letter that appears below. Or, perhaps the energy was, and still is, being consumed by my mind dwelling on the lunacy of the DEA concerning themselves with eradicating the cannabis plant species. As a result, I'm having difficulty focusing on the topic I was going to write about--our series of First Monday Of Every Month Marches.
The DEA is asking the USDA for an update to the '85/'86 Environmental Impact Statement on Cannabis eradication. They seek to alter the existing list of approved chemical herbicides and method of destructions . . . er, distribution. For details you can visit their website: http:/www.usdoj.gov/dea/programs/cannibis/pubmeet/fednoti.htm.
The letter below precisely illustrates one of the many reasons why I've become an activist for the re-legalization of the hemp/cannabis/marijuana plant. The War on Drugs is raging out of control. It is revolting. Ah! Did I hear revolt? Is it time for a revolution? Can we revolve peacefully? Can we turn it around? Yes. We must. We must speak out, folks. It is past time to do so. It is time to talk to everyone you know about how this War on Drugs is affecting each and every one of us.
June 21, 1998
Mr. Jack Edmundson, Project Leader
Environmental Analysis and Documentation
USDA/APHIS/PPD
4700 River Road, Unit 149
Riverdale, MD 20737-1238
Dear Mr. Edmundson,
It is past time to end the war on plants, the war on drugs and the war on people. In this age of conservation and preservation, the idea of attempting to eradicate ANY plant species is downright blasphemous. God created this earth and everything on it for a purpose. It is extremely arrogant of the DEA or any human being to deem it necessary or wise to tamper with God's creation - Nature.
How many people will have to die before it is discovered that triclopyr, like paraquat, is toxic to humans? Aerial broadcasting of any agent which KILLS anything will obviously be harmful to the ecosystem that sustains all life on our planet. There is no SAFE way to aerially broadcast chemicals. Even if it were possible to attain the goal of plant eradication without simultaneously taking out our earth's forests, food crops, etc., when it rains the chemicals will go down to our water tables and be readily available for humans, animals and other plant life to consume. Where is the wisdom in this act?
PLEASE put the chemicals away. If the United States of America's policy makers would commit a fraction of the resources presently used for the War on Drugs to the GROWTH of the incredibly useful cannabis plant and offer financial incentives to those companies willing to convert to it's use - i.e. the petroleum companies, the wood and paper products industries, fabric mills, pharmaceutical companies, etc. - the world would be a much better place with far less pollution, far more trees standing and plants growing to help oxygenate the planet. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Beth
So, dear readers, that's the two cents worth I mailed in. Unfortunately, the deadline for having all comment in was nearly past when Hemp Activist Times went to print on our debut issue in late May. By the time that June issue was distributed they had posted to their website an extension to June 30th. In future issues of H.A.T. watch for the Letter Writing Alert! Column as this is one way to speak out.
Another way to use your voice is by simply offering your presence to the growing body of concerned citizens who wish to see an end to the unbelievable--yet very real--horrors wrought by the War on Drugs. Come march with us. Clip the schedule of meeting places for the First Monday Of Every Month March found in this issue and stick it under a refrigerator magnet as reminder. YES! Come march with us! Meet us July 6th at the Hammering Man, 1st & University in downtown Seattle. Bring a sign that makes your statement or just be there. We'll have signs for plenty. Just activate. Please. Until next month . . .
Peace & Purple Power!
Beth Myrle Rice